Pressurized fluid nozzle assembly



Sept. 20, 1966 T. E. HALL 3,273,80E

PRESSURIZED FLUID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 26F 2o 2o l8 i C 24 I 1 22 I0 I F762 2 I A --|4 A uumr 432 Q 32 INVENTOR.

THOMAS E. HALL ATTORNEY Sept. 20, 1966 T. E. HALL PRESSURIZED FLUIDNOZZLE ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 2, 1964 FIG. 5

AQC

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 7

INVENTOR.

THOMAS E. HALL.

/ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,273,805 PRESdURlZED FLUID NOZZLEASSEMBLY Thomas E. Hall, Allentown, Pa, assignor, by mesne assignments,to lingersoll-Rantl Company, New Yorlr, N.Y., a corporation of NewJersey Filed Oct. 2, 1964, 'Ser. No. 401,156 6 tClaims. (Q1. 239--590.3)

This invention relates to fluid nozzles and more particularly tohigh-pressure liquid nozzles which may be employed in hydraulicdescaling systems, screen unblinding systems, and other light hydraulicsystems requiring a stream of high-pressure fluid.

High-pressure liquid nozzle systems employed in descaling, screenunblinding, and other similar uses usually comprise a housing, a nozzlemember having an elongated, narrow, rectangular-shaped aperture ororifice therein secured within the housing, and means for securing thehousing to a member, such as a manifold, to receive the pressurizedfluid. The nozzle assembly also includes .a'

strainer for filtering out deleterious matter entrained in thepressurized fluid to prevent such matter from passing to the rectangularorifice. In high-pressure liquid nozzle assemblies, the effectiveness ofthe high-pressure liquid stream, apart from the pressure of the liquid,is dependent upon properly orientating the rectangular orifice withrespect to the work against which the fluid is to impinge. Since thenozzle member forming the rectangular-shaped orifice is rotated in theassembly thereof with a securing means, such as a cap nut, upontightening of the latter, proper relocation of the rectangular-shapedorifice with respect to the work poses a tremendous problem. Frequently,a mechanic employs a screw driver or similar instrument which he insertsin the orifice to hold the nozzle member against turning whilereassembling the nozzle assembly. This technique of assembly very oftenresults in damage to the peripheral edge portion of the member definingthe orifice so that a proper, highly effective fluid stream is notemitted from the orifice.

Another disadvantage of present nozzle assemblies is that the nozzlemember has to be driven by blows delivered thereto from the threaded capwhich was turned on the housing to secure the nozzle in the housing.Such nozzle members were of frusto-conical configuration and of twoparts and were adapted to seat in a tapered bore in the threaded cap.The frictional engagement between the nozzle member and the capfrequently required a rapping of the cap and the nozzle member to effecttheir separation. Separation could also be achieved by driving thenozzle member from the cap by blows delivered thereto by a bluntinstrument. This frequently resulted in damage to the nozzle memberand/or the cap.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a high-pressure liquid nozzle assembly wherein removal andreplacement of the components of the nozzle are easily achieved withproper alignment of and no damage to the nozzle orifice.

Another object of this invention is to provide a highpressure liquidnozzle assembly wherein the internal components including the nozzlemember and the strainer, are removable and replaceable as a unit in thehousing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a nozzleassembly wherein, upon reassembly thereof, proper orientation of theorifice is achieved automatically.

A feature of this invention is the cylindrical shape of the nozzlemember and its being bonded in a holder or cage so that it is removablewith the cage from the nozzle assembly housing.

Another feature is the interconnection of the internal components of theassembly so that they are slidably receivable in and removable from thenozzle assembly housing as a unit.

3,273,8fl5 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 Accordingly, the present inventioncontemplates a novel nozzle assembly comprising a hollow, open endedhousing or casing which is connected at one end to a pressurized liquidreceiver and includes a socket which opens outwardly at the other end ofthe housing, such as a manifold, and is open at the opposite or distalend thereof. The interior of the socket is dimensioned to have insertedand receive through its open, other end a cylindrical member including anozzle subassembly and a strainer subassembly connected together as aunit. There is stop means in the housing for limiting inward movement ofthe member in the socket. A cap having a central opening is secured tothe housing to retain the nozzle and the strainer subassemblies withinthe housing.

The nozzle subassembly comprises a nozzle disc or plate having anelongated, slit-like, pressurized liquid outlet or discharge portsecured within a hollow, cylindrical holder or cage.

The strainer subassembly comprises a body member having a centrallylocated bore which is counterbored to receive a strainer of tubularconstruction.

The nozzle subassembly and the strainer subassembly are secured togetherin any suitable manner, such as by therading, so that the bore of thebody member communicates with the discharge port.

To provide for proper orientation of the discharge port with respect tothe work against which the liquid emitted from the discharge port is tostrike, the nozzle subassembly is provided with means for slidablyengaging the locating means on the housing and thereby fixing thelocation of the discharge port.

The invention will be more fully understood from the followingdescription when considered in. connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of a descaling apparatus employing nozzleassemblies according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is -a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are transverse, cross-sectional views taken along lines3-3 and 4-4L respectively, of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing an alternate means for securing thenozzle housing to a manifold;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing another alternative means forsecuring the nozzle housing to a manifold; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of a still further alternative means forsecuring the nozzle housing to a manifold.

Now referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4,inclusive, 10 generally designates a nozzle assembly according to thisinvention which, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may be connected to amanifold 12 of a descaling apparatus.

While nozzle assembly 10 is shown in FIG 1 and will be described as partof a descaling apparatus, it is to be understood that the nozzleassembly 10 has broader application and may be employed inscreen-cleaning apparatuses and other hydraulic-spraying devices withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, nozzle assembly 10 comprises a housing14 which has an axial bore 16 extending therethorugh. The housing issecured to a boss 18 which may be formed integral with manifold 12 ormay be a separate member suitably secured to the manifold by welding, asat 24 or by other suitable means. Housing 14 may be secured to boss 18by welding, as at 22, or secured by the alternative means shown in FIGS.5, 6, and 7 and described hereinafter. Boss 18 has an opening 24 whichextends therethrough and is in register with a hole 26 in the wall ofmanifold 12. Opening 24 is also in register with bore 16 of housing 14.The distal end portion of housing 14 is externally threaded at 28 toreceive an internally threaded, cup-shaped cap nut 30. Bore 16 ofhousing 14 is provided with an outwardly opening socket defined by acounterbored portion 32 to form inwardly from the open, distal endportion of the housing an internal, annular shoulder or stop 34.Counterbored portion 32 is adapted to slidably receive therein astrainer subassembly 36 and a nozzle subassembly 38 connected togetheras a unit as will be hereinafter described.

Nozzle subassembly 38 comprises a nozzle element 39 and a nozzle carriermember 40. Nozzle element 39 is preferably of one-piece construction, asin disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,101,906, and is cylindrical inconfiguration. An axial fluid-flow path 41 is provided in nozzle element39, which path is defined at the inlet end 42 by a circular wall and atthe discharge or outlet end by an elongated, rectangular wall to definea discharge port 43. The configuration of fluid-flow path 41progressively and uniformly changes from the circular configuration atthe inlet end 42 to the rectangular shape at the discharge port 43. Thistransition of the configuration of the flow area of fluid-flow path 41may be accomplished as disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,101,906 or byemploying semi-circular side walls for substantially the full length ofthe flow path rather than flat walls connected by quarter-round fillets.

Nozzle element 39 is inserted and suitably secured in an axial bore 44in nozzle carrier member 40. As illustrated, nozzle element 39 may bebonded by an epoxy cement 45 or secured in any other suitablefluid-tight manner in bore 44. Bore 44 is of reduced diameter slightlyinwardly of one end thereof to provide an annular shoulder 46 whichserves as a seat for nozzle element 39. Upstream of nozzle element 39,bore 44 is provided with a thread counterbored portion 47 by whichnozzle subassembly 38 is connected to strainer subassembly 36.

Strainer subassembly 36 comprises a body 48 and a strainer 49. Body 48has a diameter equal to counterbored portion 32 of bore 16 of housing 14and a reduced diameter portion 50 which is threaded to mate with thethread of counterbored portion 47 of nozzle carrier member 40. Body 48has an axial bore 51 which is counterbored and threaded at 52 to receivestrainer 49.

Strainer 49 is of any conventional construction and may be, as shown, atubular member closed at one end and having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced slots 53 which extend through the wall of thestrainer to communicate bore 16 with the interior of strainer 49.Strainer 49 is threaded adjacent its open end so that it can be turnedinto the mating threads of counterbored portion 52 of axial bore 51.

To seal the interstices between the outer peripheral surfaces of nozzlecarrier member 40 and body 48 and the surface of counterbored portion32, carrier member 40 is provided with an annular groove in which isseated an O-ring seal 54.

To provide for the orientation of elongated discharge port 43 of nozzleelement 39 in relation to the work A (for example, as is shown in FIG. 1for illustrative purposes), diametrically opposed, hollow pins 55 aremounted in nozzle carrier member 40 to project from the peripherythereof. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the pins 55 is adaptedto fit into one of a pair of diametrically opposed grooves 56 in thedistal end of housing 14. The relationship of discharge port 43 withregard to grooves 56 is predetermined and fixed when factory assembledby proper positioning and securing of nozzle element 39 in nozzlecarrier member 40. For example, nozzle element 39 may be bonded incarrier member 40 so that the longer dimension of discharge port 43extends normal to the longitudinal axes of pins 55. This method offabrication insures that the pattern of the fluid stream B (see FIG. 1)emitted from discharge port 43 assumes the desired relationship to thework A.

In the assembly of a hi gh-pressure spray nozzle system as shown in FIG.1, manifold 12 is positioned so that the longitudinal axis of eachhousing 14 which is secured to a boss 18 extends at a desiredpredetermined angle with respect to a vertical line extending from thework A. In addition, each housing 14 is positioned so that grooves 56and the longer dimension of discharge port 43 lie in a desired directionin relation to the work A. This predetermined, assembled positioninsures that the high-pressure fluid stream B from each of the nozzleassemblies 10 impinges the work A with the force and impact desired andat the proper angle.

When replacement of one or more nozzle assemblies is necessary becauseof wear or clogging of fluid-flow path 41, clogging or damage tostrainer 49, and/or for any other reason, such removal and replacementare accomplished with ease, quickly, and with automatic predeterminedorientation of the high-pressure fluid stream B with respect to the workA. Removal and replacement are achieved by the removal of cap nut 30from housing 14. With the removal of cap nut 30, strainer subassembly 36and nozzle subassembly 38 are free to be removed from the housing as aunit. If due to corrosion or the accumulation of solid material atshoulder 34 the strainer subassembly and the nozzle subassembly do notdrop from the housing, a suitable tool may be inserted in hollow pins tofree the subassemblies and thereby effect the removal of the strainerand the nozzle subassemblies as a unit. In like manner, the strainer andthe nozzle subassemblies of inverted nozzle assemblies 10 which extendupwardly from manifold 12 may be removed by the same method. Thereafter,each new, factory-assembled strainer subassembly 36 and nozzlesubassembly 38 unit may be inserted in an associated housing 14. Each ofthe units is automatically orientated in the desired predeterminedposition relative to the work by the interlocking engagement of pins 55and grooves 56 of housing 14.

It is believed now readily apparent that a novel highpressure nozzleassembly has been provided which can be quickly and easily repaired andwhere the discharge port or orifice of the new nozzle subassembly isautomatically positioned in the same relationship to the work as thereplaced discharge orifice assumed with respect to the work. Thisautomatic orientation of the nozzle subassembly obviates damage, in thefield, to the discharge port or orifice into which a tool may beinserted by a workman in the course of reassembly of the nozzleassembly.

In FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are shown alternative means for securing thehousing of the nozzle assemblies to a manifold.

In FIG. 5 boss 18A of manifold 12A is internally threaded at 60 toreceive the end of a housing 14A, the end of the housing being threadedat 61 to mesh with threads 60.

In FIG. 6 manifold 12B is provided with a flanged connection 62 in placeof a boss. This flanged connection in FIG. 6 is shown as being integralwith manifold 12B, but obviously need not be integral with the manifold.Flanged connection 62 may be a separate member connected to the manifoldin any suitable manner, such as welding, threading, bolting, or thelike, without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Aninternally threaded ring 63 is threaded at 64 to the end of housing 14Bof the nozzle assembly and bolted to flanged connection 62 by aplurality of bolts 65 (only one of which is shown). The space betweenthe adjacent surfaces of flanged connection 62 and ring 63 may be sealedby a suitable gasket 66 or other means interposed between thosesurfaces.

In FIG. 7 is shown a further alternative means of securing the nozzleassembly to a manifold. As shown, housing 14C is substantially shorterin length than housing 14 shown in FIG. 2 and is Welded at 67 within anopening 68 of a manifold 12C. This construction has the advantage ofpositioning the strainer 49C directly within the interior of manifold12C where fouling of the strainer will not occur so readily as in nozzleassembly shown in FIG. 2.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto. Various changes can be made in the arrangement of partswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the samewill now be understood by those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A pressurized fluid nozzle assembly comprising:

(a) a conduit means connected to a source of pressurized fluid,

(b) a hollow, opened ended housing connected at one end to said conduitmeans and communicating with the latter to receive the pressurizedfluid, said housing including an outwardly opening socket at its otherend,

(c) a cylindrical assembly member inserted within and slidably andremovably seated within said socket,

(d) stop means formed in said housing interiorly thereof and contactingsaid cylindrical assembly means to limit inward movement of saidassembly member in said socket,

(e) a nozzle means having a fluid flow path therethrough and including adischarge orifice adapted to discharge a non-circular spray, saidelement being carried within said cylindrical assembly member so as toreceive and conduct the pressurized fluid, as a spray, into theatmosphere (f) a first hollow positioning means carried by and extendinglaterally outwardly of said cylindrical assembly member,

(g) a second positioning means formed on the other end portion of saidhousing and comprised of a lateral recess receiving said firstpositioning means and coacting therewith to fix the cylindrical assemblymember in a predetermined angular position within said housing,

(h) holding means secured to the housing and bearing on said cylindricalassembly member to hold said assembly member and said nozzle in saidhousing, such that the non-circular spray from said discharge orifice isangularly oriented in relation to the fluid conduit means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a filter means is secured to saidcylindrical member and is insertable and removable from the housingsimultaneous with the cylindrical member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means is a cap nuthaving a central opening therein in register with the discharge orificeto permit the pressurized fluid to flow therethrough.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit means is provided witha boss to which the housing is connected.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit means is provided witha flanged boss, a complementary flange on said housing, and means fordrawing said complemen tary flanges together and thereby securing thehousing to the conduit means.

6. A pressurized fluid nozzle assembly comprising:

(a) conduit means connected to a source of pressurized fluid,

(b) a tubular, open-ended housing connected at one end to said conduitmeans,

(c) a cylindrical assembly slidably and removably receivable in thedistal end portion of said housing,

(d) a nozzle element having a fluid-flow path and a discharge orificeadapted to discharge a non-circular spray removably secured in apredetermined position within said cylindrical assembly,

(e) said fluid-flow path and discharge orifice being in communicationwith the interior of the housing to receive the pressurized fluid anddischarge same, as a spray, to the atmosphere,

(f) a strainer body having an opening therein,

(g) said strainer body being secured to said cylindrical member so thatsaid opening registers with the fluidflow path in said nozzle element,

(h) strainer means secured to said strainer body so as to communicatethe interior of the housing with the opening in said strainer body,

(i) at least one radial groove in the distal end of said housing openingoutwardly toward said end,

(j) at least one hollow pin carried by said cylindrical assembly memberand extending laterally therefrom and engaging said groove to therebylocate the entire assembly in a predetermined angular position withinsaid housing, and

(k) cap means secured to said housing and engaging the cylindricalassembly member and hold the entire assembly in said housing, such thatthe noncircular spray discharge from said orifice is angularly orientedat a selected position with respect to said conduit means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,018,819 10/1935 Thompson 239-597 2,024,936 12/1935 Loughlin 239-600 2,629,6322/1953 Munson 239590.5 3,009,655 11/1961 Palmer 239-600 3,101,906 8/1963 Webber 239-5'92 FOREIGN PATENTS 438,628 11/ 1935 Great Britain.

EVERETT W. IQI'RBY, Primary Examiner.

1. A PRESSURIZED FLUID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: (A) A CONDUIT MEANSCONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF PRESSURIZED FLUID, (B) A HOLLOW, OPENED ENDEDHOUSING CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID CONDUIT MEANS AND COMMUNICATINGWITH THE LATTER TO RECEIVE THE PRESSURIZED FLUID, SAID HOUSING INCLUDINGAN OUTWARDLY OPENING SOCKET AT ITS OTHER END, (C) A CYLINDRICAL ASSEMBLYMEMBER INSERTED WITHIN AND SLIDABLY AND REMOVABLY SEATED WITHIN SAIDSOCKET, (D) STOP MEANS FORMED IN SAID HOUSING INTERIORLY THEREOF ANDCONTACTING SAID CYLINDRICAL ASSEMBLY MEANS TO LIMIT INWARD MOVEMENT OFSAID ASSEMBLY MEMBER IN SAID SOCKET, (E) A NOZZLE MEANS HAVING A FLUIDFLOW PATH THERETHROUGH AND INCLUDING A DISCHARGE ORIFICE ADAPTED TODISCHARGE A NON-CIRCULAR SPRAY, SAID ELEMENT BEING CARRIED WITHIN SAIDCYLINDRICAL ASSEMBLY MEMBER SO AS TO RECEIVE AND CONDUCT THE PRESSURIZEDFLUID, AS A SPRAY, INTO THE ATMOSPHERE (F) A FIRST HOLLOW POSITIONINGMEANS CARRIED BY AND EXTENDING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID CYLINDRICALASSEMBLY MEMBER, (G) A SECOND POSITIONING MEANS FORMED ON THE OTHER ENDPORTION OF SAID HOUSING AND COMPRISED OF A LATERAL RECESS RECEIVING SAIDFIRST POSITIONING MEANS AND COACTING THEREWITH TO FIX THE CYLINDRICALASSEMBLY MEMBER IN A PREDETERMINED ANGULAR POSITION WITHIN SAID HOUSING,(H) HOLDING MEANS SECURED TO THE HOUSING AND BEARING ON SAID CYLINDRICALASSEMBLY MEMBER TO HOLD SAID ASSEMBLY MEMBER AND SAID NOZZLE IN SAIDHOUSING, SUCH THAT THE NON-CIRCULAR SPRAY FROM SAID DISCHARGE ORIFICE ISANGULARLY ORIENTED IN RELATION TO THE FLUID CONDUIT MEANS.